In this paper, the expediency of applying antifriction coatings to the working surface of camshaft cams is substantiated by means of finite element modelling. Building an adequate model required reproducing the operating conditions of the camshaft and the gas distribution mechanism as a whole. Thus, the peculiarities of the camshaft operation were taken into account, taking into account the forces acting in the gas distribution mechanism at the moment of valve opening, i.e. when the camshaft cam hits the pusher. It is shown that as a result of the interaction between the surface of the pusher and the cam of the camshaft, a friction force arises, which is directed tangentially to the cam profile surface in the direction opposite to the rotation of the camshaft. The simulation was performed for two camshaft designs: a cam with an antifriction coating and a basic steel cam. As a result of the modelling, a field of stresses and displacements on the cam surface of the camshaft was obtained. The qualitative and quantitative analysis of stress and displacement diagrams suggests that a camshaft with cams treated with a finishing antifriction non-abrasive treatment experiences lower power stresses than cams without antifriction coating, and therefore will be subject to less wear. Studies have shown the effectiveness of applying antifriction coatings to the working surface of the camshaft cams of an internal combustion engine.